Week 3: A life of love, sacrifice, and submission

Week 2:3: AUnity lifein ofChrist

love, sacrifice, and submission.

Chapters 12-1415-16

• Brief introduction about St. Paul
  
  

  • Roman Citizen: Born a Roman citizen, enabling safe travel and legal protection.
    
    

  • Greek education: Born in Tarsus, major center of Greek learning, exposure to Greek philosophy.
    
    

  • Jewish heritage: Adhering to Jewish law and traditions and studied under Rabbi Gamaliel in Jerusalem

  • 1st Journey (44 AD, 2 years):
    
    

  • Asia Minor (Turkey), with Barnabus and St. Mark.
    
    

  • After this journey, a council is held among the apostles and elders of the church in Jerusalem to determine that the gentile converts need not submit to the Law of Moses regarding circumcision.
    
    

  • 2nd Journey (51 AD, 3 years):
    
    

  • Mainly in Macedonia (Greece), with Silas and Luke.
    
    

  • 2 Epistles: 1 & 2 Thessalonians.
    
    

  • 3rd Journey (54 AD, 4 years):
    
    

  • Asia minor and Macedonia
    
    

  • 4 Epistles: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians.
    
    

  • 4th Journey (Rome):
    
    

  • 8 Epistles: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, Hebrews.
    
    

• The Lord said to him: "I will send you far from here to the Gentiles" (Acts 22:21)
  
  

• Unmarried: “For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that." 1 Corinth 7:7
  
  

• His early preparation for ministry

• Missionary trips
  
  

• St. Paul wrote 14 epistles out of the 27 books in the New Testament.
  
  

• Known as the Apostle of the Gentiles
  
  

• Received 4 crowns: martyrdom, purity, apostleship, and righteousness.
  
  
  
  

• Introduction:
  
  

  • Author: St. Paul
    
    

  • Written to: believers in Rome
    
    

  • Time of writing:
    
    

    • 58 AD in Corinth, before Paul’s visit to Rome in 62 AD
      
      

  • Purpose of the book
    
    

    • The need for all people, Jews or Gentiles, to be justified by Christ.
      
      

    • How a person can obtain justification and its blessings in life.
      
      

    • The rejection of faith by many Jews is temporary, but some will return to faith in Christ after the Gentiles accept the faith.
      
      

    • Basic teachings for practical Christian living.
      
      

    • Care for those weak in faith and encourage them
      
      

• Outline
  
  

  • The apostolic blessing and encouragement of the believers (Chapter 1).
    
    

  • The need for all humanity to be justified by Christ, how they can receive it, and its blessings (Chapters 2–8).
    
    

  • God chose the Gentiles just as He did to the Jews, who rejected Him but they will repent at the end of days (Chapters 9–11).
    
    

  • Practical commandments for Christian behavior (Chapters 12–15).
    
    

  • Paul’s fatherly care and his greetings to his beloved friends (Chapter 16).
    
    

• Reading:
  
  

  • Chapter 12-1415-16
    
    

• Resources:
  
  

  • Bible Explanation of the Epistle to Romans - Fr. Daoud Lamei English

  • The Epistle to Romans by Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty- English

• Key verse:
  
  

  • “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. for if we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore we live or die, we are the Lord's." Romans 14:7-7
    
    

• Comments: Chapter 12

1. • SanctifyingThe strong in faith is the Bodyone andwho Mind for a Spiritual Lifebears with Godothers (Romans 12:15:1-2)7)

     • WeThe shouldone offerwho ouris bodiesstrong in his faith and mindslove for God gives up what pleases and comforts himself to Godbears andothers. do everything for the glory of God, while sacrificing and rejecting every desire that contradicts God's commandments.

     • WeIf Christ—the holy and perfect one—accepted us, the sinful and impure, despite the big difference between us and Him, how much more should notwe, confirmas toweak theand wayssinful ofhumans, theaccept world.our weak brothers with love, no matter their condition or mistakes.

       • The world behaviors and habits are against God's commandments.

       • Know that while you live in the world your principles are different from it.
       • Contemplation: Don’t forget your main goal is the salvation of yourself and others. That means loving one another, being patient when someone is struggling, and forgiving each other.
       • For example, be careful with your words. If you haveor beensomeone drawnin intoclass somemakes improperfun actions,of youanother needperson repentanceor calls them names, that’s not acceptable. Instead of laughing or joining in, choose to be kind and thestand renewal of your mind, so that you may liveup for thewhat’s love of God.right.

   • TypesThe acceptance of giftsJews inand the ChurchGentiles (Romans 12:15: 3:8)8:13)
     

     • TheJews workand ofGentiles serviceare is fundamentally based on trustequal in God'sthat work,Christ regardlessserved ofboth humanby limitations.offering salvation to all.
     • One of the great mercies of God is athat Godevery person is included in His plan of order—Hesalvation. establishedEven thethose memberswho ofwere Hisfar Church like parts of one body, each with a distinct role and function, different yet complementary. The gifts given to each member are meant for serving others, not for personal pride.off.
       • Prophecy: Speaking God's truth with faith.
       • Service: Helping and serving others.
       • Teaching: Explaining the word of God
       • Exhortation: Encouraging and strengthening others.
       • Leadership: Administration
       • Mercy: Showing compassion with Joy

   • VirtuesSt. inPaul praising the Christianpeople communityof Rome (Romans 12:9-21)15:14-19):
     

     • • SincereSt. love:Paul Genuinewrote lovethis withoutepistle hypocrisyto remind the Romans of some truths of the faith. This is a kind and humble approach from him, as he considers his words to be a reminder to them, since they know everything.
         

       • Rejecting evil: Hating what is evil and cling to what is good
       • Caring for one another
       • Serving the Lord with enthusiasm
       • Joyful, patience, and prayer
       • Sharing with those in need and welcoming them
       • Blessing your enemies
       • Empathy: rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep
       • Humility
       • Avoiding retaliation: Not repaying evil with evil but overcoming it with good.
     • Contemplation: We are called to acquire all these virtues to truly become a children of God.

   • DutiesSt. ofPaul's adesire Christianto Towardvisit Societythem (Romans 13:1-7)15:20-33)
     

     • SubmissionSt. Paul desired many times to authority:visit WeRome, arebut calledeach time he was hindered from going.
       
     • In humility, he asks them to submitpray for him, because he was about to authorityface becausea theydifficult aretrial—confronting establishedthe byunbelieving God.Jews Thosein who resist authority, resist GodJerusalem.
     • RespectContemplation: For this reason, the Church always prays for rulers:its We are called to respect our leaders
     • Obeyleaders: the law:patriarch, Webishops, are called to obey the laws unless they contradict God's commands.
     • Living peacefully: We are called to live peacefullypriests, and responsibly
       
   • Loving everyone (Romans 13:8-10)
     • Universal Love – Christian love is not limited to friends or fellow believers but extends to all people, reflecting God’s love for the world.
     • If you have fallen into many sins and struggled to resist sin, knowservants, that the easiestLord pathmay isfulfill totheir love everyone.ministry.
   • RepentGreetings nowfrom beforeSt. timePaul runsto outthe believers in Rome (Romans 13: 11-14)16:1-16)
     • WeThis mustpart rejectreveals sinfulthe behaviorsfeelings of love between the servants and walkthe inbelievers, as well as Paul’s kindness and appreciation for the lightservants ofwho Christ.assisted him.
     • PutHe onsends them peace and love in verse 16 "the Holy kiss", just as the Armordeacon ofsays God
       • Ask yourself: Would I commit this sin if people could see me now? Andduring the moreDivine importantLiturgy, question:'Greet Canone Ianother.' commitThis thissignifies sinforgiveness whileand Godlove, ispreparing watchingus me now?"
   • Accepting the weak in faith (Romans 14:1-12)
     • We shouldto welcome thoseChrist's whodwelling arewithin weak in faith without judgment
     • Avoid argument over personal and non essential matters
     • We Live for the Lord – "For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord" (Romans 14:7-8)us.
   • DoWarnings notabout causefalse others to stumbleteachers (Romans 14:13-23)16: 17-20)
     • AsSt. childrenPaul asks the believers to watch carefully, like guards, for anyone who tries to cause divisions or stumbling blocks in the church, in order to preserve the level of God,love weand needunity within the church.
   • The conclusion of the epistle (Romans 16:21-27)
     • Tertius, mentioned in Romans 16:22, is the scribe who wrote down the letter to bethe carefulRomans withon ourbehalf actions.of Paul.. Paul did not write it himself due to his eye illness. Therefore, Tertius also sends his greetings to the believers in the Church of Rome.
     • ForOur example,loving (IfGod yourallowed fatherthe Gentiles to enter through the work of confession gave you absolution to eat specific food during fasting) don't eat non fasting food in front of others
     • Avoid gossiping and making others to fall into sin
     • Avoid cursing or using hurtful words
     • Don't lie or encouraging others to lieChrist.

2. Review/recap questions
   
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8. Homework
   
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